The Symmetrical Triangle Strategy Guide

Have you ever traded the Symmetrical Triangle chart pattern?

If you did, then you know it’s not as easy as it seems.

For example:

You might have thoughts like…

Should I trade the breakout of the Symmetrical Triangle or do I wait for a pullback?

Where should I put my stop loss so the market doesn’t hunt my stops?

How do I know which direction the Symmetrical Triangle break out?

Now if you face any of those issues, don’t worry.

Because in today’s lesson, you’ll have the answers to these questions (and more).

You’ll learn:

• What a Symmetrical Triangle chart pattern is and how it works
• Don’t make this BIG mistake when trading the Symmetrical Triangle, here’s why…
• How to better time your entries when trading the Symmetrical Triangle
• Symmetrical Triangle: How to maximize your profits and ride enormous trends
• A Symmetrical Triangle Trading Strategy

OK, let’s get down to business…

What is a Symmetrical Triangle chart pattern and how does it work?

The Symmetrical Triangle is a volatility contraction pattern.

This means volatility in the market is shrinking and a sign the market is likely to breakout, soon.

Now you’re probably wondering:

“So how do I identify a Symmetrical Triangle?”

Here’s how…

How to identify a Symmetrical Triangle correctly

• The sides of the triangle slope equally (that’s why it’s symmetrical)
• The triangle has lower highs AND higher lows – at least two of each
• It looks like a funnel, with the price “squeezing” from the left towards the right

Now, the price cannot be “squeezed” forever.

Eventually, it must break out.

And when it happens, it offers profitable trading opportunities for the astute trader (more on that later).

But for now, here’s an example of a Symmetrical Triangle…

Pro Tip:

A Symmetrical Triangle usually takes a few months to form.

If the duration is only a few days or weeks, then it’s probably not a Symmetrical Triangle and possible another Trend Continuation pattern (like Flag, Pennant, etc.).

Don’t make this BIG mistake when trading the Symmetrical Triangle, here’s why…

Now…

A common mistake traders make is “chasing” the breakout of a Symmetrical Triangle.

Why?

Because in the short-term, the buying pressure is exhausted and have no more “energy” to push the price higher.

So what happens?

The “smart money” starts to take profit.

Then, bearish traders will look to short the markets.

Slowly, the market starts to reverse…

At this point, traders who bought the highs are sitting in the red.

And when they can’t take the pain any longer, they cut their losses.

The result?

Increased selling pressure which causes the market to reverse lower.

Here’s how it looks like…

Now you’re wondering:

“Is there a better way to trade the Symmetrical Triangle?”

You bet!

And that’s what I’ll cover next.

Read on…

How to better time your entries when trading the Symmetrical Triangle

You’ve probably heard this a gazillion times…

The trend is your friend.

And it’s true.

So, how do you trade with the trend?

Well, you can use an indicator like the Moving Average (MA).

For example…

If the price is above the 200-period MA, then you have a long bias.

If the price is below the 200-period MA, then you look a short bias.

Using this simple rule, you’ll be on the right side of the market more often than not — and improve your winning rate.

Next…

Let’s find out how you can better time your entries when trading the Symmetrical Triangle.

Here are 2 techniques you can use:

• Trailing stop loss
• The Re-test

I’ll explain…

The first pullback

Often, the price breaks out of the Symmetrical Triangle and it becomes “overextended”.

Here’s what I mean:

Now, you don’t want to enter right now because the price is “overextended” and your stop loss is wide.

So, what do you do?

Well, you can wait for a pullback to occur (like a Bull Flag pattern).

Once it’s formed, you can long the break of the highs and have your stop loss below the swing low.

This offers a more favorable risk to reward on your trade.

An example:

Next…

The Re-test

Sometimes…

When the price breaks out of the Symmetrical Triangle, it might re-test the previous market structure.

If it does, you can look for a reversal candlestick pattern (like Hammer, Engulfing pattern, etc.) to time your entry.

Here’s an example…

Moving on…

Symmetrical Triangle: How to maximize your profits and ride enormous trends

Here are 2 techniques you can use:

• Trailing stop loss
• Price projection

I’ll explain…

1. Trailing Stop Loss

Here’s the thing:

No one knows how high or low the market can go.

And by trailing your stop loss, you allow the market to reward you as it moves in your favor.

For example:

You can use the Moving Average (MA) to trail your stop loss.

For example:

You can use the 50MA to trail your stop loss

If the price closes below it, then you’ll exit the trade.

Here’s what I mean…

Pro Tip:

You can use the 20MA if you want to ride short-term trends or 200MA if you want to ride long-term trends.

Now…

If you want to learn more, go watch this training video below on how to trail your stop loss…

2. Price projection

This technique is based on classical charting principles.

Here’s how it works:

• Take the distance between the high and the low of the Symmetrical Triangle — the widest point of the pattern
• “Copy and paste it” at the breakout point
• Exit your trade at the price projection level

Here’s an example:

Symmetrical Triangle Trading Strategy

Now, let’s take what you’ve learned and develop a trading strategy.

If you have followed me for a while, you know I like to use the IF-THEN template to develop my trading strategies.

Here’s how it works…

If the price forms a Symmetrical Triangle, then wait for the price to break out.

If the price breaks out, then wait for the first pullback (ideally small bodied candles).

If the price does a pullback, then go long on the break of the highs.

If the price breaks the highs, set your stop loss 1 ATR below the swing low.

If the price moves in my favor, then trail my stop loss using the 50MA.

Here are some examples…

Red = Initial Stop Loss

Blue = Entry

Green = Exit

Brent Crude Oil Daily:

LBS1! H8:

LBS1! Daily:

Frequently asked questions

#1: You mentioned that a Symmetrical Triangle usually takes a few months to form. Other than that, is volume important in trading the Symmetrical Triangle?

I don’t look at volume for my trading.

#2: How do we know if a Symmetrical Triangle is bullish or bearish in nature?

One way to tell is to look at the trend of the higher timeframe.

If the higher timeframe is in an uptrend, then chances are, the symmetrical triangle would breakout higher.

If the higher timeframe is in a downtrend, then it will likely breakdown lower.

Conclusion

Here’s what you’ve learned today:

• The Symmetrical Triangle is a sign the market is about to break out
• Don’t “chase” the breakout of a Symmetrical Triangle because that’s when the price is likely to reverse
• You can enter on the First Pullback or Re-test of the Symmetrical Triangle
• You can maximize your profits by using a trailing stop loss or the price projection technique
• A Symmetrical Triangle trading strategy (a template you can use)

Now here’s a question for you…

How do you trade the Symmetrical Triangle chart pattern?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with me.